Educational Product

Educators Grades K–8

SPACE FOOD AND NUTRITION

An Educator’s Guide With Activities in Science and Mathematics

SPACE FOOD AND NUTRITION

An Educator’s Guide With Activities in Science and Mathematics

National Aeronautics and

Space Administration EG-1999-02-115-HQ EG-1998-12-115-HQ
Space and Food Nutrition—An Educator’s Guide With

Activities in Science and Mathematics is available in

electronic format through NASA Spacelink—one of the

Agency’s electronic resources specifically developed

for use by the educational community.

The system may be accessed at the following address:

http://spacelink.nasa.gov/products
This publication is in the Public Domain and is not protected by copyright. 

Permission is not required for duplication.

EG-1999-02-115-HQ

National Aeronautics and

Space Administration

SPACE FOOD 

AND NUTRITION

An Educator’s Guide 

With Activities in 

Science and Mathematics
National Aeronautics and Space Administration 

Office of Human Resources and Education

Education Division

Washington, D.C.

Education Working Group

NASA Johnson Space Center

Houston, Texas

Writers

Angelo A. Casaburri

Aerospace Education Services Program

NASA Johnson Space Center

Houston, Texas

Cathy A. Gardner

Dickinson Independent School District

Dickinson, Texas

Editor

Jane A. George

Teaching From Space Program

NASA Headquarters

Washington, D.C.

Special thanks to the following 

contributors and reviewers

Charles T. Bourland, Ph.D.

System Manager, Space Station Food

Flight Crew Support Division

NASA Johnson Space Center

Debbie A. Brown

ISS Education Liaison

Education Working Group

NASA Johnson Space Center

Gregory L. Vogt, Ed.D.

Crew Educational Affairs Liaison

Education Working Group 

NASA Johnson Space Center

Karol L. Yeatts, Ed.D.

1998 Einstein Fellow

Miami Dade County Public Schools

Miami, Florida 

Space Food and Nutrition

An Educator’s Guide With Activities in Science and Mathematics

Space Food and Nutrition An Educator’s Guide With Activities in Science and Mathematics, EG-1999-02-115-HQ • I

Acknowledgments
Space Food and Nutrition An Educator’s Guide With Activities in Science and Mathematics, EG-1999-02-115-HQ • III

National Science Education Standards ..........................................................................................................v

National Mathematic Standards ....................................................................................................................vi

Introduction ....................................................................................................................................................1

Mercury ..........................................................................................................................................................2

Gemini ............................................................................................................................................................3

Apollo..............................................................................................................................................................4

Skylab ............................................................................................................................................................5

Apollo-Soyuz Test Project ..............................................................................................................................6

Space Shuttle ................................................................................................................................................7

International Space Station ............................................................................................................................8

Food Systems Engineering Facility ................................................................................................................9

Types of Space Food ..................................................................................................................................10

Microgravity ..................................................................................................................................................11

Classroom Activities ....................................................................................................................................14

Activities for Grades K–4

1. Food Preparation for Space ..........................................................................................................15

2. Food Selection ..............................................................................................................................17

3. Planning and Serving Food ..........................................................................................................20

Activities for Grades 5–8

4. Classifying Space Food ................................................................................................................21

5. Ripening of Fruits and Vegetables ................................................................................................23

6. Mold Growth ..................................................................................................................................25

7. How Much Is Waste? ....................................................................................................................30

8. Dehydrating Food for Space Flight ................................................................................................33

Appendices

Appendix A: Baseline Space Shuttle Food and Beverage List................................................................34

Appendix B: International Space Station Daily Menu Food List ..............................................................37

Appendix C: Gemini Standard Menu (4-day cycle)..................................................................................41

Appendix D: Space Shuttle Standard Menu (4 days of a 7-day menu) ..................................................42

Appendix E: International Space Station Standard Menu (4-days of a 30-day menu)............................43

Appendix F: Space Tortilla Formulation (Recipe) ....................................................................................44

Appendix G: USDA Food Guide Pyramid ................................................................................................45

References ..................................................................................................................................................46

NASA On-Line Resources for Educators......................................................................................................47

Educator Reply Card ....................................................................................................................................49

Table of Contents
Space Food and Nutrition An Educator’s Guide With Activities in Science and Mathematics, EG-1999-02-115-HQ • V

National Science Education Standards

National Research Council, 1996

Grades K–8

Food

Preparation

for Space

√

√

√

Food

Selection

√

√

√

√

Planning and

Serving

Food

√

√

√

√

Classifying

Space Food

√

√

Ripening of

Fruits and

Vegetables

√

√

√

Mold Growth

√

√

√

How Much

Is Waste?

√

√

Dehydrating

Food for

Space Flight

√

√

Science as Inquiry

Abilities necessary 

to do scientific 

inquiry

Life Science

Matter, energy, and 

organization in living 

systems

Science in Personal 

and Social

Perspectives

Personal Health

Physical Science

Properties of objects

and materials

Position and motion 

of objects

National Education Standards
VI • Space Food and Nutrition An Educator’s Guide With Activities in Science and Mathematics, EG-1999-02-115-HQ

National Mathematic Standards

National Council of Teachers of

Mathematics, 1988

Grades K–8

Food

Preparation

for Space

√

√

√

√

√

Food

Selection

√

√

√

√

Planning and

Serving

Food

√

√

√

√

Classifying

Space Food

√

√

√

Ripening of

Fruits and

Vegetables

√

√

√

√

Mold Growth

√

√

√

√

How Much

Is Waste?

√

√

√

√

√

Dehydrating

Food for

Space Flight

√

√

√

√

√

Computation

Measurement

Reasoning

Observing

Communicating

National Mathematic Standards
Space Food and Nutrition An Educator’s Guide With Activities in Science and Mathematics, EG-1999-02-115-HQ • 1

From John Glenn’s mission to orbit Earth to the

International Space Station program, space food

research has met the challenge of providing food

that tastes good and travels well in space. To better understand this process, we can look back through history.

Explorers have always had to face the problem of how to

carry enough food for their journeys. Whether those

explorers are onboard a sailing ship or on the Space

Shuttle, adequate storage space has been a problem. Food

needs to remain edible throughout the voyage, and it also

needs to provide all the nutrients required to avoid 

vitamin-deficiency diseases such as scurvy.

Early in history, humans discovered that food would

remain edible longer if it were dried and stored in a cool

dry place until it was time to be consumed. Early food

dehydration was achieved by cutting meat, fish, and certain fruits into thin strips and drying them in sunlight.

Rubbing food with salt or soaking it in salt water, an early

form of curing food, also helped preserve it. Later 

techniques were developed for cooking, processing, preserving, and storing food in sealed containers. With the

developments of pasteurization and canning, a much larger variety of foods could be stored and carried on long

journeys. More recently, refrigeration and quick-freezing

have been used to help preserve food flavor and nutrients

and prevent spoilage.

While these forms of packaged food products are fine for

travel on Earth, they are not always suitable for use on

space flights. There are limitations to weight and volume

when traveling and the microgravity conditions experienced in space also affect the food packaging. Currently,

there is limited storage space and no refrigeration. To

meet these challenges, special procedures for the preparation, packaging, and storing of food for space flight

were developed.

Introduction
2 • Space Food and Nutrition An Educator’s Guide With Activities in Science and Mathematics, EG-1999-02-115-HQ

I

n the early days of the space program, known as

Project Mercury, space flights lasted from a few 

minutes to a full day. Because of the short duration,

complete meals were not needed. The major meal was

consumed prior to the flight. However, the Mercury

astronauts did contribute to the development of space

food. They tested the physiology of chewing, drinking,

and swallowing solid and liquid foods in a microgravity

environment. These first astronauts found themselves

eating bite-sized cubes, freeze-dried foods, and semi-liquids in aluminum toothpaste-type tubes. The food was

unappetizing, and there were problems when they tried to

rehydrate the freeze-dried foods.

The tube foods offered many challenges to food development. First, a method of removing the food from the tube

was needed. A small straw was placed into the opening.

This allowed the astronauts to squeeze the contents from

the tube directly into their mouths. This is similar to

drinking your favorite soda from a straw, except that the

food was a thicker substance. Special materials were

developed to coat the inner surface of the aluminum tubes

to prevent the formation of hydrogen gas as a result of

contact between metal and the acids contained in some

foods, such as applesauce. This aluminum tube packaging often weighed more than the food it contained.

Because of this, a lightweight plastic container was

developed for future flights.

During the later Mercury test flights, bite-sized foods

were developed and tested. These were solid foods

processed in the form of compressed, dehydrated bitesized cubes. The cubes could be rehydrated by saliva

secreted in the mouth as food was chewed. Foods floating about in a microgravity environment could damage

equipment or be inhaled; therefore, the cubes were coated with an edible gelatin to reduce crumbling. These

foods were vacuum-packed into individual serving-sized

containers of clear, four-ply, laminated plastic film for

storage. This packaging also provided protection against

moisture, loss of flavor, and spoilage.

Early Project Mercury flight food: food tube and dry

bite-sized snacks with a gelatin coating, which was

necessary to control crumbling.

Mercury
Space Food and Nutrition An Educator’s Guide With Activities in Science and Mathematics, EG-1999-02-115-HQ • 3

The major advancements in food items during the

Gemini period were more variety and improved

packaging. The dehydration process provided foods

that were similar in appearance—including color, taste,

shape, and texture—to freshly prepared food products.

Some examples of the food flown on Gemini missions

included grape and orange drinks, cinnamon toasted bread

cubes, fruit cocktail, chocolate cubes, turkey bites, applesauce, cream of chicken soup, shrimp cocktail, beef stew,

chicken and rice, and turkey and gravy. 

Dehydration occurs naturally in warm climates, and in

cold climates, it is called freeze drying. Freeze-drying

techniques in the space program consist of slicing, dicing,

or liquefying prepared food to reduce preparation time.

After the food has been cooked or processed, it is quickfrozen, then placed on drying trays and put into a vacuum

chamber where the air pressure is reduced. Heat is then

applied through heating plates. Under these conditions of

reduced pressure and increased temperature, the ice crystals in the frozen food boil off, and the water vapor that is

left is condensed back to ice on cold plates in the vacuum

chamber. Because water is the only thing removed in this

process, the freeze-dried food has all the essential oils

and flavors. The texture is porous and can be easily rehydrated with water for eating. 

To rehydrate food, water was injected into the package

through the nozzle of a water gun. The other end of the

package had an opening in which the food could be

squeezed out of the package into the astronaut’s mouth.

Because of the size of the opening, food particle size was

limited. After the meal had been completed, germicidal

tablets were placed inside the empty package to inhibit

microbial growth on any leftovers.

The advantages of freeze-dried foods were paramount in

their development. The food is lightweight because the

water has been removed. The food has a longer shelf life

and can be stored at room temperature. The food also has

flavors and textures more closely resembling that of the

original fresh food items.

Adequate nutrient intake became a health concern with

extended space flights in the Gemini program. Each crew

member was supplied with 0.58 kilograms of food per

day. These included dehydrated juices, freeze-dried and

dehydrated foods, and compressed, noncrumbling, bitesized foods. These made up the three meals a day that the

astronauts ate. Meals were planned in advance, and the

menu was repeated every 4 days.

Gemini meal wrap.

Gemini 

Sample types of food that have been dehydrated and

packaged in cellophane for use by Gemini astronauts.
4 • Space Food and Nutrition An Educator’s Guide With Activities in Science and Mathematics, EG-1999-02-115-HQ

The preparation, handling, and consumption of

space foods during the Mercury and Gemini missions provided valuable experience for the further

development of space foods for future space flights. The

Apollo program used food packages similar to those used

on Gemini, but the variety of foods was considerably

greater. Rehydratable food was encased in a plastic container referred to as the “spoon bowl.” Water was injected into the package through the nozzle of a water gun.

After the food was rehydrated, a pressure-type plastic

zipper was opened, and the food was removed with a

spoon. The moisture content allowed the food to cling to

the spoon, making eating more like that on Earth. 

Another new package, the “wetpack” or thermostabilized

flexible pouch, required no water for rehydration because

water content was retained in the food. There were two

types of thermostabilized containers: a flexible pouch of

a plastic and aluminum foil laminate and a can with a full

panel pullout lid. A disadvantage to the canned products

was the added weight, which was approximately four

times that of rehydratable foods. With these new packages, Apollo astronauts could see and smell what they

were eating as well as eat with a spoon for the first time

in space. This added enjoyment to the meals, which was

missing in the earlier packages and products. The storage

space for the new packaging allowed for one week’s

worth of rations for one astronaut to fit in a pressureresistant container the size of three shoe boxes. 

The Apollo missions to the Moon presented an enormous

challenge to space food. The Mercury feeding tube was

reintroduced as a backup food system. It contained a special formulation rather than the natural food purees used during

Mercury. On Apollo flights, foods

and drinks were reconstituted with

either hot or ambient (room temperature) water. Some of the foods consumed on Apollo were coffee, bacon

squares, cornflakes, scrambled eggs,

cheese crackers, beef sandwiches,

chocolate pudding, tuna salad,

peanut butter, beef pot roast,

spaghetti, and frankfurters. 

Visit http://spacelink.nasa.gov/

space.food to see and download the

Apollo Food List.

Apollo

These Apollo spoon bowl parts

show the complexity and engineering that went into the earlier years

of space flight food packaging.

A close-up view of an Apollo spoon bowl package

before rehydration and opening. This package was

called a “spoon bowl” to differentiate it from Gemini

and early Apollo food packages, which required that

food be squeezed from a tube directly into the mouth.

This type of package resulted in significant improvements in food consumption and crew comfort with

food. Hot water was injected to rehydrate the food.

The top of the container was opened with a pair of

scissors, and the meal was eaten with a spoon.

Apollo meal wrap.
Space Food and Nutrition An Educator’s Guide With Activities in Science and Mathematics, EG-1999-02-115-HQ • 5

The dining experience on Skylab was unlike any

other space flight. The Skylab laboratory had a

freezer, refrigerator, warming trays, and a table.

Eating a meal on Skylab was more like eating a meal at

home. The major difference was the microgravity environment.

The supply of food onboard was sufficient to feed three

astronauts for approximately 112 days. The menu was

designed to meet each individual astronaut’s daily nutritional requirements based on age, body weight, and anticipated activity. Each astronaut’s caloric intake was 2,800

calories a day. These nutritional requirements were part

of the life science experiments conducted on Skylab. 

Skylab foods were packaged in specialized containers.

The rehydratable beverages were packaged in a collapsible accordion-like beverage dispenser. All other foods

were packaged in aluminum cans of various sizes or

rehydratable packages.

To prepare meals, the Skylab crew placed desired food

packages into the food warmer tray. This was the first

device capable of heating foods (by means of conduction) during space flight. Foods consisted of products

such as ham, chili, mashed potatoes, ice cream, steak,

and asparagus. 

Visit http://spacelink.nasa.gov/space.food to see and

download the Skylab Food List.

Skylab

This Skylab food tray had individual recessed compartments into which the canned food item was

placed for heating. At meal time, the crew member

selected the meal and placed the items to be

warmed in the food tray.

Skylab Astronaut Owen K. Garriott eating in the Skylab

dining area.
American astronauts on the Apollo-Soyuz Test

Project were provided meals similar to those consumed on Apollo and Skylab flights. Russian

meals were composed of foods packaged in metal cans

and aluminum tubes. Their spacecraft had a small heating

unit onboard, and individual menus were selected for

each cosmonaut. In general, a meal consisted of meat or

meat paste, bread, cheese, soup, dried fruit and nuts, coffee, and cake.

6 • Space Food and Nutrition An Educator’s Guide With Activities in Science and Mathematics, EG-1999-02-115-HQ

Apollo-Soyuz Test Project

Russian space food.
Space Food and Nutrition An Educator’s Guide With Activities in Science and Mathematics, EG-1999-02-115-HQ • 7

For the Space Shuttle program, a more Earth-like

feeding approach was designed by updating previous food package designs and hardware items. Food

variety expanded to 74 different kinds of food and 

20 kinds of beverages. The changes were driven by the

relatively large crews and regularly scheduled space

flights. A standard Shuttle menu is designed around a typical 7-day Shuttle mission. Astronauts may substitute

items from the approved food list to accommodate their

own tastes or even design their own menus, but these 

astronaut-designed menus are checked by dietitians to

ensure that they provide a balanced supply of nutrients. 

On the Shuttle, food is prepared at a galley installed in the

orbiter’s middeck. This modular unit contains a water dispenser and an oven. The water dispenser—which can dispense hot, chilled, or ambient water—is used for rehydrating foods, and the galley oven is used to warm foods to the

proper serving temperature. The oven is a forced-air convection oven and heats food in containers different in size,

shape, and material. A full meal for a crew of four can be

set up in about 5 minutes. Reconstituting and heating the

food takes an additional 20–30 minutes. A meal tray is used

as a dinner plate. The tray attaches to the astronaut’s lap by

a strap or can be attached to the wall. Eating utensils consist of a knife, a fork, a spoon, and a pair of scissors to open

food packages. Many astronauts will tell you that one of the

most important things they carry in their pockets is a pair

of scissors. They could not eat without them! 

Weight and volume issues have always driven the design

of any hardware to be taken into space. Food and beverage packaging is no exception. As Shuttle mission length

increased, certain food and beverage packages required

modification. Rigid square rehydratable packages were

being used but proved cumbersome and problematic on

longer missions. Packages made of a lighter flexible

material were developed and first tested on STS-44

(1991). These Extended Duration Orbiter (EDO) packages are made of flexible plastic and have a valve for

inserting water. These eventually replaced the rigid

square rehydratable packages on a permanent basis. In

addition, a trash compactor was developed to reduce the

volume of the trash, and the new packages were designed

to be compatible with the compactor. 

Visit http://spacelink.nasa.gov/space.food to see and

download the Space Shuttle Food List and Shuttle

Standard Menu.

STS-7 SPAS view of Challenger

Prepared foods on Shuttle food trays Velcroed to

middeck stowage lockers.

STS-91 onboard view: Astronaut Dominic Gorie prepares

a meal on the middeck of the Space Shuttle Discovery.

Gorie prepares to use the nearby galley to add water to

one of the rehydratable packages.

Space Shuttle 
8 • Space Food and Nutrition An Educator’s Guide With Activities in Science and Mathematics, EG-1999-02-115-HQ

The International Space Station (ISS) will become

operational on a full-time basis with a crew of

three. Later, the crew size will grow to a maximum

of seven people. The crew will reside in the Habitation

Module (HAB). Food and other supplies will be resupplied every 90 days by the Multi-Purpose Logistics

Module (MPLM). The MPLM is a pressurized module

carried in the Space Shuttle payload bay that is used to

transport materials and supplies. The food system

described here is for the completed ISS and will be considerably different from the Space Shuttle food system.

But until 2004 when the HAB module is launched, ISS

residents will utilize a joint U.S.-Russian food 

(Shuttle-Mir) system. 

The fuel cells, which provide electrical power for the

Space Shuttle, produce water as a byproduct, which is

then used for food preparation and drinking. However, on

the ISS, the electrical power will be produced by solar

arrays. This power system does not produce water. Water

will be recycled from a variety of sources, but that will

not be enough for use in the food system. Therefore, most

of the food planned for the ISS will be frozen, refrigerated, or thermostabilized (heat processed, canned, and

stored at room temperature) and will not require the addition of water before consumption. Although many of the

beverages will be in the dehydrated form, concentrated

fruit juices will be added to the beverages offered and

will be stored in the onboard refrigerator. 

Similar to the Space Shuttle, the ISS beverage package is

made from a foil and plastic laminate to provide for a

longer product shelf life. An adapter located on the package will connect with the galley, or kitchen area, so that

water may be dispensed into the package. This water will

mix with the drink powder already in the package. The

adapter used to add water also holds the drinking straw

for the astronauts. The food package is made from a

microwaveable material. The top of the package is cut off

with a pair of scissors, and the contents are eaten with a

fork or spoon. 

Visit http://spacelink.nasa.gov/space.food to see and

download the ISS Food List.

Empty International Space Station food tray.

International Space Station frozen food storage:

Food will be stowed in pullout drawers, which allow

complete viewing of drawer contents. Lipped edges

on the food package interface with the storage container, oven, and serving tray.

International Space Station

International Space Station food tray (frozen food)
Space Food and Nutrition An Educator’s Guide With Activities in Science and Mathematics, EG-1999-02-115-HQ • 9

The kinds of food the astronauts eat are not mysterious concoctions but foods prepared here on Earth,

with many commercially available on grocery store

shelves. Diets are designed to supply each crew member

with all the recommended dietary allowances of vitamins

and minerals necessary to perform in the environment of

space. 

Foods flown in space are researched and developed in the

Foods Systems Engineering Facility at NASA Johnson

Space Center in Houston, Texas. Foods are tested for nutritional value, how well they freeze dry, the storage and

packaging process, and of course taste. Astronauts are

asked to taste test food items. They use a simple form to

rate the products on such things as appearance, color, odor,

flavor, and texture. These components are rated using a

numbering system. The Food Systems Engineering Facility

uses the astronauts’ ratings to help design better space food.

Astronauts select their menu about 5 months before they

fly. For the ISS, they will choose 30-day flight menus.

Crew members will store the food in the galley onboard

the Station.

The astronauts will use a special tray on the ISS to hold

their food during preparation and eating. Because everything drifts in a microgravity environment, utensils and

food containers need to be held in place. Food trays will

be designed on the basis of the food packages that will be

used on the ISS. These trays will be different from those

used on the Space Shuttle because the ISS will have a

table available; the Space Shuttle does not. The ISS tray

will attach to the table.

From the beginning of human space travel, food has been

an important feature that has involved astronauts, technicians, and engineers. Because food is an important part of

life, it is imperative that the space food system is the best

it can be. Astronauts on the ISS cannot get into a car and

go down to the local grocery store if they do not like what

is for dinner. The supply of food must be nourishing and

tasty so astronauts maintain their health during their

important stays in space.

Four individuals participate in a cantaloupe “sensory

evaluation” at the Food Systems Engineering

Facility. This facility consists of several areas:

Kitchen (shown), Freeze Drying Room, Packaging

Room, Analytical Laboratory, and Packaging,

Fabrication, and Tasting Area.

Food Systems Engineering Facility
10 • Space Food and Nutrition An Educator’s Guide With Activities in Science and Mathematics, EG-1999-02-115-HQ

There are eight categories of space food:

Rehydratable Food: The water is removed from

rehydratable foods to make them easier to store. This

process of dehydration (also known as freeze drying) is

described in the earlier Gemini section. Water is replaced

in the foods before they are eaten. Rehydratable items

include beverages as well as food items. Hot cereal such

as oatmeal is a rehydratable food.

Thermostabilized Food: Thermostabilized foods are

heat processed so they can be stored at room temperature.

Most of the fruits and fish (tuna fish) are thermostabilized

in cans. The cans open with easy-open pull tabs similar to

fruit cups that can be purchased in the local grocery store.

Puddings are packaged in plastic cups.

Intermediate Moisture Food: Intermediate moisture

foods are preserved by taking some water out of the product while leaving enough in to maintain the soft texture.

This way, it can be eaten without any preparation. These

foods include dried peaches, pears, apricots, and beef

jerky.

Natural Form Food: These foods are ready to eat and

are packaged in flexible pouches. Examples include nuts,

granola bars, and cookies.

Irradiated Food: Beef steak and smoked turkey are the

only irradiated products being used at this time. These

products are cooked and packaged in flexible foil pouches and sterilized by ionizing radiation so they can be kept

at room temperature. Other irradiated products are being

developed for the ISS.

Frozen Food: These foods are quick frozen to prevent

a buildup of large ice crystals. This maintains the original

texture of the food and helps it taste fresh. Examples

include quiches, casseroles, and chicken pot pie.

Fresh Food: These foods are neither processed nor artificially preserved. Examples include apples and bananas.

Refrigerated Food: These foods require cold or cool

temperatures to prevent spoilage. Examples include

cream cheese and sour cream.

Food on the Space Shuttle comes in several categories. Represented here are: thermostabilized,

intermediate moisture, rehydratable, natural form,

and beverage.

Types of Space Food
Space Food and Nutrition An Educator’s Guide With Activities in Science and Mathematics, EG-1999-02-115-HQ • 11

Food and how it is eaten and packaged have been

greatly affected by the unique microgravity environment of space. A microgravity environment is one in

which gravity’s effects are greatly reduced. Microgravity

occurs when a spacecraft orbits Earth. The spacecraft and

all its contents are in a state of freefall. This is why a

handful of candy seems to float through the Space Shuttle

when it is released. The candy does not drop to the floor

of the Shuttle because the floor is falling, too. 

Because of this phenomenon, foods are packaged and

served to prevent food from moving about the Space

Shuttle or ISS. Crumbs and liquids could damage equipment or be inhaled. Many of the foods are packaged with

liquids. Liquids hold foods together and, freed from containers, cling to themselves in large drops because of

cohesion. It is similar to a drop of water on a piece of wax

paper. The only difference is that this drop of water is

moving about the microgravity environment of the Space

Shuttle. Special straws are used for drinking the liquids.

They have clamps that can be closed to prevent the liquids from creeping out by the processes of capillary

action and surface tension when not being consumed. 

Microgravity also causes the utensils used for dining to

float away. The knife, fork, spoon, and scissors are

secured to magnets on the food tray when they are not

being used. The effects of microgravity have had an enormous impact on the development of space food packaging, food selection, and related food system requirements. 

Astronaut Loren J. Shriver aboard STS-46 pursues

several floating chocolate candies on the flight

deck. Shriver is wearing a headset for communication with ground controllers.

Microgravity
1. Shuttle galley. 

2. Shuttle food tray top view.

3. Shuttle food tray bottom view, strap

closed.

4. Shuttle food tray bottom view, strap

open.

5. Shuttle rehydratable container components.

6. Shuttle stowage tray. Space Shuttle

food is stowed in labeled pullout

drawers in the middeck. Drawer contents are covered with a mesh, which

allows top viewing of the drawer contents.

7. Shuttle galley. The Shuttle food galley

consists of two parts: forced air convection oven and a rehydration station

where hot, cold, or ambient temperature water can be dispensed.

8. Shuttle beverage packaging components.

9. Shuttle rehydratable food package.

Top and bottom view of broccoli au

gratin. Label shows name, preparation, and batch number. Bottom has

Velcro for attachment to the Shuttle

food tray.

10. Shuttle beverage containers.

11. Astronaut Dr. Franklin R. Chang-Diaz

prepares a tortilla at the Shuttle food

galley.

1

2

3

4

5

6
7

8

9 10

11
14 • Space Food and Nutrition An Educator’s Guide With Activities in Science and Mathematics, EG-1999-02-115-HQ

These activities emphasize hands-on and cooperative involvement of students. Whenever possible,

they make use of inexpensive and easily obtainable

materials and tools. 

Activities for Grades K–4

Activity 1: Food Preparation for Space

Activity 2: Food Selection

Activity 3: Planning and Serving Food 

Activities for Grades 5–8

Activity 4: Classifying Space Food

Activity 5: Ripening of Fruits and Vegetables

Activity 6: Mold Growth

Activity 7: How Much Is Waste?

Activity 8: Dehydrating Food for Space Flight

Classroom Activities
Space Food and Nutrition An Educator’s Guide With Activities in Science and Mathematics, EG-1999-02-115-HQ • 15

Objective

The students will measure the proper amounts and mix

ingredients of rehydratable foods and drinks.

Science Standards

• Science as Inquiry: Abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry 

• Life Science: Matter, energy, and organization in living systems

• Science in Personal and Social Perspectives:

Personal health

Mathematics Standard

• Computation 

• Measurement

Helpful Hints

Have students work in groups of four. For younger elementary students, the ingredients can be premeasured or

the amounts can already be determined.

Nonfat dry milk does not have the thickness of whole

milk, which is usually used for instant pudding. Suggest

to students that they add water in increments, mix, and

repeat this process until the desired consistency is

achieved. (This may mean that as little as half of the suggested amount of water is needed.)

Materials Needed Per Group

1 package instant pudding mix

1 package instant drink crystals

Sugar

Artificial sweetener

Nonfat dry milk

Water

Straws

Plastic spoons

Plastic zip-locking sandwich bags

Background

Travelers have known for a long time that condensing

food will make their journey easier. It is no different in

the space program. Hikers use rehydratable foods so they

do not have to carry very much weight with them. This

makes it easier to travel. All weight going into space raises the fuel consumption at liftoff. It is important to eliminate as much weight as possible. Because the fuel cells

on the Space Shuttle produce water as a byproduct, water

is easily attainable. Therefore, taking foods along that can

be rehydrated with this water make sense because this

reduces the amount of weight on liftoff. The rehydrated

foods also take up much less space, and space is a valuable commodity onboard the Space Shuttle.

Procedure for Rehydratable Food

Read the recipe label on the instant pudding. Calculate

the amount of dry mix ingredients necessary for a single

serving (weight ÷ number in group). The recipe for

instant pudding calls for lowfat milk. Record the amount

necessary for a single serving. Read the recipe label on

the nonfat dry milk package, and calculate the amount

necessary for a single serving of instant pudding 

(amount ÷ number in group). Measure the dry instant

pudding ingredient and the proper amount of nonfat dry

milk, and place both into a zip-locking bag. Shake and

stir the dry ingredients until thoroughly mixed. Pour the

correct amount of water necessary to dissolve the mixture. Close the zip-locking bag, and knead the package in

your hands until thoroughly mixed.

Procedure for Rehydratable Beverage

Read the recipe label on the instant drink package.

Calculate the amount of dry mix ingredients necessary

for a single serving (amount ÷ number of single servings). Measure the dry ingredient, and place into a ziplocking sandwich bag. Calculate the amount of water

necessary for a single serving (amount ÷ number of single servings). Measure the amount of water, and pour into

the zip-locking bag. Close the zip-locking bag, and knead

the package with your hands until thoroughly mixed.

Calculate the amount of sugar or artificial sweetener for

an individual serving and add.

Activity 1: 

Food Preparation for Space
16 • Space Food and Nutrition An Educator’s Guide With Activities in Science and Mathematics, EG-1999-02-115-HQ

DIiscussion

1. What changes did you observe?

2. Would the temperature of the water make a 

difference?

3. Why did you use a zip-locking bag as opposed 

to a bowl?

4. How would being in space affect the way you 

eat and prepare food?

Extensions

1. Have the students work together in groups to calculate

the amount of dry and liquid ingredients to make equal

servings for the group.

2. Are the steps listed on the package the only possible

way for proper preparation? Have the students develop an alternative way of mixing dry and liquid

amounts. Compare the results with the method given

on the box label.

3. The recipe suggests chilling before serving. How can you

eliminate refrigeration and still be able to serve it cold?

4. Use discussion questions for journal-writing topics.

5. Design a space food packaging label. Prepare a package

label to include the following information: item name,

manufactured date, instructions for preparing the item in

space (if needed), a bar code for computerized inventory or

conducting nutritional studies, and an expiration date.

Labels include colored dots for crew member identification purposes:

Color Dot Standards Table

Red Commander

Yellow Pilot

Blue Mission Specialist 1

Green Mission Specialist 2

Orange Mission Specialist 3

Purple Mission Specialist 4 or

Payload Specialist 1

Brown Mission Specialist 5 or

Payload Specialist 1

Labels also include the amount of water to rehydrate

foods and the time and temperature needed to make it the

best possible meal.

Lastly, place a Velcro dot on the package for attachment

in microgravity. The Velcro “hooks” should be on the

opposite side of the food package label.

Assessment

Have the students write procedures to make a rehydratable food and drink.

Food for Thought!

Pure orange juice or whole milk cannot be dehydrated.

Orange drink crystals, when rehydrated, just make orange

“rocks” in water. There is a freeze-dried orange juice, but

it is difficult to rehydrate. Still, some astronauts request

it. Whole milk does not dissolve properly. It floats around

in lumps and has a disagreeable taste. Nonfat dry milk

must be used in space packaging. During the 1960’s,

General Foods developed a synthetic orange-flavored

juice called Tang, which can be used in place of orange

juice. Today, this product is available in several different

flavors.
Objective

The students will determine the acceptability of food

products for space flight by participating in a sensory

taste panel.

Science Standards

• Science as Inquiry: Abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry

• Life Science: Matter, energy, and organization in living

systems

• Science in Personal and Social Perspectives:

Personal health

• Physical Science: Properties of objects and materials

Mathematics Standard

• Computation

Helpful Hints

1. If a food is disliked, delete that item from 

the list.

2. Students should not discuss the foods with group

members while tasting the foods. Students should do

their own evaluations and then compare.

3. If necessary, use water and crackers between samples

to remove prior tastes.

4. Many of these foods can be found at the local grocery

store.

Materials Needed

Tray

Paper plates

Food samples (from menu list in appendix)

Drink samples (from menu list in appendix)

Water

Crackers

Taste Panel Evaluation Form

Taste Panel Procedure and Descriptive Comments Form

Background

Astronauts select their menu for space about 5 months

before they fly. For the Space Shuttle, they select a menu

that will serve them through the duration of their flight.

For the ISS, they will choose a 30-day flight menu. These

foods will be stored in the galley. A special taste panel is

set up for the astronauts to taste a variety of foods when

they are selecting their menus. This lets the astronauts

know whether they like the food before going into space.

Foods are tested for appearance, color, odor, flavor, and

texture. It does not help astronauts to take foods into

space if they will not eat them. This taste panel helps

facilitate the selection of a desirable menu and reduces

the amount of waste from unacceptable, uneaten, or partially eaten portions.

Procedure

Place the students into groups. These groups will be

known as the expert groups, and each group should be

assigned a type of space food. Each group will be responsible for tasting a variety of foods from their particular

group. They will fill out the Taste Panel Evaluation Form,

rating the appearance, color, odor, flavor, and texture.

The students will rate these items using the numerical

scores listed on the bottom of the form.

Each group will total the scores given each food and list

them on the form. If an item receives a score of 6 or less,

comments should be listed to explain the low score. All

other items should be described by their good qualities.

Brainstorm a list of descriptive words that can be used.

Discussion

1. Which space food would you prefer to take with

you into space?

2. In each food type, which item received the highest

score? Why?

3. In each food type, which item received the lowest

score? Why?

4. Why do you think it is important that you test the

foods before you take them into space?

Extensions

1. Have the students use the evaluation forms to

choose a meal of their choice.

2. Use the descriptive words from the Taste Panel

Evaluation Form to write a paragraph about the

foods you have tested.

Assessment

When all of the tasting, evaluating, and computing have

been done, each group should prepare a short presentation to share with the class about their findings.

Space Food and Nutrition An Educator’s Guide With Activities in Science and Mathematics, EG-1999-02-115-HQ • 17

Activity 2: 

Food Selection
18 • Space Food and Nutrition An Educator’s Guide With Activities in Science and Mathematics, EG-1999-02-115-HQ

Taste Panel Evaluation Form
The following guidelines should be followed when rating a food product on the Taste Panel:

1. Emphasis is on the quality of the food product rather than on personal preferences such as likes and dislikes.

2. If you absolutely dislike the food product because of personal preferences, do not rate it.

3. If a product is rated below a 6 for any category, then note the reason in the space provided.

4. The overall rating is your overall general impression of the product, which is not necessarily an average of the other

categories, but should be consistent with them.

5. Do not talk with other panelists during evaluations.

6. Refrain from smoking, eating, or drinking for 60 minutes prior to panels.

7. If necessary, use water or crackers between samples to clear the palate.

8. If you have a question regarding the Taste Panel, ask the person conducting the panel.

Descriptive Comments

Here is a list of descriptive terms that can be used to describe an attribute of a food and be an aid for food development.

You may use the list below to describe attributes of a food sample. A score of 6.0 or below should have some descriptive comment that will explain a low score.

Space Food and Nutrition An Educator’s Guide With Activities in Science and Mathematics, EG-1999-02-115-HQ • 19

Taste Panel Procedure and 

Descriptive Comments Form

Taste/Order

Bitter

Sweet

Sour

Salty

Oxidized

Rancid

Stale

Tasteless

Metallic

Flat

Musty

Yeasty

Floral

Texture

Crisp

Soft

Hard

Stringy

Tough

Chewy

Firm

Fine

Grainy

Gummy

Lumpy

Mushy

Pasty

Rubbery

Sticky

Stiff

Tender

Greasy

Juicy

Color/Appearance

Dull

Lustrous

Sparkling

Bright

Light

Dark

Greasy

Glossy

Cloudy

Old

Pale
20 • Space Food and Nutrition An Educator’s Guide With Activities in Science and Mathematics, EG-1999-02-115-HQ

Objective

The students will plan a 5-day flight menu and design a

food tray that can be used in space.

Science Standards

• Science as Inquiry: Abilities necessary to 

do scientific inquiry

• Life Science: Matter, energy, and organization 

in living systems

• Science in Personal and Social Perspectives:

Personal health

• Physical Science: Position and motion of objects

Mathematics Standard

• Computation

Helpful Hints

1. For K–1 students, food pictures from magazines and

ads can be used to plan the menu. The students may

also cut and paste pictures to construction paper to

simulate the Space Shuttle food tray.

2. Some possible materials that can be used to build the

food trays are boxes, cardboard, hook and loop tape

(Velcro), magnets, foil, wood, construction paper, and

glue. Encourage students to be creative in their designs.

Materials

USDA Food Pyramid Guide (Appendix G)

Food group and suggested daily servings chart

(Activity 4) 

Background

Astronauts use special trays in space because of the special microgravity environment. These trays are designed

to hold everything in place while food is being prepared

and eaten. On the Space Shuttle, the trays used have

straps on the back so that the astronauts can attach them

to either the wall or their leg in order to hold them in

place. They also have hook and loop tape on them to

attach to the foods and drink packages; utensils are held

in place with magnets. The ISS food tray has compartments to hold special bowl-like containers. They snap

into place and hold the food in the tray. These containers

are similar to single-serving frozen food dishes that can

be found in the grocery store. The only difference is that

they are made of a hard plastic instead of aluminum or

cardboard.

Procedure

The students will plan a nutritionally balanced 5-day

menu for astronauts. It is important that astronauts

receive the recommended daily caloric intake so they can

maintain their energy level and good health. Use the Food

Pyramid Guide in the appendix to nutritionally balance

the meals. Using the recommended food group and suggested daily servings chart listed in Activity 4, choose

foods that will fulfill the recommended daily allowances

for the astronauts.

The students will design and build a tray to hold their

meals. To help the astronauts eat their meals on the Space

Shuttle, a special tray has been devised to help hold the

different food types and packages in place. This prevents

food from drifting in a microgravity environment.

Discussion

1. What types of problems might you face while trying to

eat in space?

2. Are there other ways to serve space food?

3. Why is it important for astronauts to receive the recommended daily caloric and nutritional intake?

Extensions

Have the students plan and prepare a space food luncheon. The food trays the students designed and built will

be used. The menu for the day will be selected from the

International Space Station Daily Menu Food List. The

school administration should be invited as well as community leaders and parents. Remember to invite the local

media.

Students can cut food pictures from actual food containers and place rehydratables in zip-locking bags for Space

Shuttle food. For ISS frozen foods, food pictures from

frozen food packages can be cut to fit the recycled plastic frozen food containers. Foam core or plaster of paris

can be used to give the package actual weight.

Assessment

Evaluate each food tray for design and usability. Verify that

the meals planned are nutritionally balanced.

Activity 3: 

Planning and Serving Food
Space Food and Nutrition An Educator’s Guide With Activities in Science and Mathematics, EG-1999-02-115-HQ • 21

Objective

To classify the space food manifested on the Space

Shuttle or International Space Station food lists into the

major food groups found in the Food Pyramid Guide.

Science Standards

• Science as Inquiry: Abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry

• Science in Personal and Social Perspectives:

Personal health

Materials Needed

Baseline Space Shuttle Food and Beverage List 

(Appendix A)

International Space Station Daily Menu Food List 

(Appendix B)

USDA Food Guide Pyramid 

(Appendix G)

Background

The Food Guide Pyramid has been established to help

people maintain a diet that is adequate in nutritional

value. Maintaining good health in space is important, and

to help do this, a good diet is imperative. Balanced meals

of good nutritional food will help ensure that the astronauts will be able to perform their jobs in space. 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has made

recommendations for a healthy diet. Foods are grouped

according to the nutrients they provide. Many foods, such

as corn, are hard to place into a specific group. Sweet

corn can be counted as a starchy vegetable, but corn tortillas are in the grain group. Dry beans and peas

(legumes) can be counted as either a starchy vegetable or

a meat.

The following is a web site that can be used to obtain

more indepth information about the Food Guide Pyramid

and nutrition: 

http://www.usda.gov/fcs/cnpp/using.htm

Food Groups and 

Suggested Daily Servings Chart

Food Groups Suggested Daily Servings

Grain 6 to 11 servings

(Bread, Cereal, 

Rice, and Pasta)

Fruit 2 to 4 servings

Vegetable 3 to 5 servings

Meat 2 to 3 servings

(Meats, Poultry, 

Fish, Eggs, and Nuts)

Dairy 2 to 3 servings

(Milk, Yogurt, 

and Cheese)

Oil Use sparingly

(Fats and Sweets)

Procedure

Using the Baseline Space Shuttle Food and Beverage List

or the International Space Station Daily Menu Food List,

classify the foods into the major groups as shown above. 

Discussion

1. Which foods did you find that can fit into more than

one food group?

2. In your opinion, which food group had the better

selection of foods?

3. Why is it important to maintain good health in space?

4. How does a balanced diet maintain good health?

Activity 4: 

Classifying Space Food
22 • Space Food and Nutrition An Educator’s Guide With Activities in Science and Mathematics, EG-1999-02-115-HQ

Extensions

1. Have the class design their own ISS food menu for a

30-day crew rotation or Space Shuttle food menu for a

7-day rotation. Have them analyze how many times a

particular food or drink item was served and if some

items were served in combination with another (such

as fish always served with french fries). Avoid monotonous or repetitive selection by increasing the variety

of food choices.

2. Using a computer, create a data base file. Design a

data base template that includes fields such as day (1,

2, 3, etc.), meal (breakfast, lunch, dinner, and a 

possible snack), and the six major food groups (grain,

vegetable, fruit, dairy, meat, and oil). Enter the information from the menus and determine which meals

are balanced ones by searching for any empty fields in

the food groups.

Assessment

The students will compare and contrast their findings.
Objectives

Compare and contrast the rate of ripening of fruits and

vegetables when exposed to air and the effect of using a

chemical inhibitive on that rate of ripening.

Measure the exposed surface area of ripened fruits and

vegetables. 

Science Standard

• Science as Inquiry: Abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry

• Life Science: Matter, energy, and organization in living systems

• Science in Personal and Social Perspectives:

Personal health

Mathematics Standard

• Measurement

Materials Needed

Distilled water

Fruits such as apples and bananas

Vegetables such as carrots and celery sticks

Vitamin C tablets

Small deep plastic bowls

Knife

Large spoons

Paper plates

BACKGROUND

Food for the Space Shuttle is packaged and stowed in

food lockers at Johnson Space Center in Houston,

Texas, approximately a month before each launch and is

kept refrigerated until shipped to the launch site. About

3 weeks before launch, the food lockers are sent to

Kennedy Space Center in Florida. There, they are

refrigerated until they are installed in the Shuttle 

2 to 3 days prior to launch. Besides the meal and supplemental pantry food lockers, a fresh food locker is

packed at Kennedy and installed on the Shuttle 18 to 

24 hours before launch. The fresh food locker contains

tortillas, fresh bread, breakfast rolls, fresh fruits such as

apples, bananas, and oranges, and fresh vegetables such

as carrots and celery sticks. During space flight, fresh

fruits and vegetables have a short shelf life because of

the absence of a refrigerator and must be consumed

within the first 7 days of flight. Carrots and celery sticks

are the most perishable items in the fresh food locker

and must be consumed within the first 

2 days of flight.

Onboard the ISS, refrigerators will be present, and refrigerated foods for the Station will include fresh and freshtreated fruits and vegetables. Certain types of fruits and

vegetables can have an extended shelf life of up to 60 days.

When certain fruits or vegetables are sliced open and

exposed to air, the exposed cut surface turns brown in

color. There are a number of processing techniques that

can be employed to fresh-treat fruit and vegetables: irradiation, a wax coating, an ethylene inhibitor (ethylene is

a plant hormone that causes ripening), controlled atmosphere packaging, modified atmosphere packaging, and

the use of a chemical inhibitive.

This activity focuses on one of these processes—the use

of a chemical inhibitive—as a way of packaging sliced

fruits and vegetables as a single-serving, nonwaste food

item. Slicing eliminates the weight and waste of a core

and peelings.

Some foods are easily browned, such as bananas, apples,

pears, and peaches. You can protect fresh fruit from

browning by keeping it from being exposed to air.

Another way is by treating the food with vitamin C.

Procedure

1. Pour water into two small deep bowls. Dissolve a

vitamin C tablet into one, and leave the second as

plain water. Label the first one “Vitamin C” and the

second “Plain Water.”

2. Cut a piece of fruit into six equal wedges.

3. Place two wedges into each of the prepared liquids. Be

careful that each wedge is completely immersed in the

liquid for about 10 minutes.

4. Remove each wedge with a spoon, and place on separately labeled paper plates.

5. Place the last two wedges on a paper plate labeled

“Untreated.”

6. Arrange the piece so that all of the cut surfaces are

exposed to air.

7. Repeat steps 2 through 6 with each fruit and vegetable

being tested.

Space Food and Nutrition An Educator’s Guide With Activities in Science and Mathematics, EG-1999-02-115-HQ • 23

Activity 5: 

Ripening of Fruits and Vegetables
24 • Space Food and Nutrition An Educator’s Guide With Activities in Science and Mathematics, EG-1999-02-115-HQ

8. Let all three plates sit for an hour, and observe for any

browning.

9. Using a variety of tools (ruler, square centimeter graph

paper, foil, etc.) to measure the brown, exposed area of

the fruits and vegetables.

Discussion

1. Which fruit and which vegetable turned browner than

the others?

2. Which fruit and which vegetable did not turn as brown

as the others?

3. Can you think of another chemical inhibitive that

could be used to preserve fruits and vegetables?

4. What would be the best way to pack fruits and vegetables for space flight?

Extensions

1. Does the amount of vitamin C in the water affect the

rate that fruit and vegetables will turn brown? Test this

hypothesis by using one-half tablet, one tablet, and

two tablets of vitamin C in the water.

2. Will temperature affect the rate of browning on fruits

and vegetables? Try the experiment again, but this

time place them in the refrigerator and in a warm dark

place for the same amount of time.

3. Lemon juice is a common ingredient listed in recipes

for fruit pies. Repeat the experiment again to determine whether lemon juice has an effect on browning.

4. Use a vacuum pump to keep fresh fruit from being

exposed to air (vacuum sealing). Observe the rate of

browning.

5. Slicing, coring, and peeling are techniques for providing single servings and eliminating waste. Determine

the amount of weight and volume reduced by slicing,

coring, and peeling apples and oranges.

Assessment

The students will present their findings to the class.

Classroom graphs and charts may be used to illustrate information learned.
Space Food and Nutrition An Educator’s Guide With Activities in Science and Mathematics, EG-1999-02-115-HQ • 25

Objective 

After observing mold growth on different types of bread,

measure and record the growth rate.

Science Standards

• Science as Inquiry: Abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry

• Life Science: Matter, energy, and organization in living systems

• Science in Personal and Social Perspectives:

Personal Health

Mathematics Standard

• Measurement

Materials Needed

Variety of breads (such as white, brown, whole wheat,

rye, and sourdough) with and without preservatives

Variety of tortillas (such as flour and corn) with and without preservatives

Plastic zip-locking sandwich bags (16.5 cm x 14.9 cm)

Marking pen

Tape

Knife

Metric ruler

Transparent centimeter grid sheet

Large tray

Student Data Sheets

Background

Flour tortillas have been a favorite bread item for space

flight since 1985.* Tortillas are an acceptable bread substitute because of ease of handling and reduced crumb

generation in microgravity. Frankfurters and peanut butter

and jelly are some of the foods and spreads used with the

tortillas to make sandwiches. The tortillas are also used as

a bread accompaniment to many of the food entrees such

as beef tips in gravy and ham slices. The Space Shuttle

galley does not have refrigeration for food storage; hence,

all foods are stowed in locker trays at room temperature.

Spoilage problems are encountered with commercial tortillas on space flight missions longer than 7 days. 

Molds are naturally present nearly everywhere in our

environment. In nature, molds are needed to break down

substances such as leaves and result in organic matter

that enriches soil. When present in foods, however,

molds may grow and cause an unsightly appearance and

unappealing and unusual flavors. Some molds are capable of producing toxins, which are hazardous to human

health. Dampness, warmth, oxygen, favorable pH, and

the absence of light result in the optimum growth conditions for yeast, mold, and pathogenic bacterial growth.

As mission length has increased, the need to develop a

tortilla that is shelf stable at room temperature has

become essential. A tortilla with a shelf life of 6 months

was developed.

Foods and beverages are processed with preservatives to

inhibit the growth of molds naturally present. The development of a shelf-stable tortilla for space flight required

reducing the amount of available water, lowering the pH

to prevent bacterial growth, and packaging in an oxygenfree environment to prevent mold growth. See the Space

Tortilla Formulation (Recipe) in Appendix F.

Procedure

1. Measure and cut each bread and tortilla sample into a

10 x 10 cm square.

2. Cut a 5 x 5 cm square of paper, and dampen 

with water. Place into a numbered zip-locking sandwich bag.

3. Place each sample on dampened paper in the bag, and

seal with a little air left in the bag. Tape the ziplocking seal as a safety measure.

4. List the ingredients from the information label on the

food package wrapper. Identify flours, yeast, and

preservatives. Label the package.

5. Place the labeled samples on a large tray to 

minimize handling. Keep the samples in a warm, dark

place.

6. Make daily observations of any mold growth at 

the same time each day. Make observations of 

the types of mold present by noting the color 

and appearance of the molds and the rate of 

mold growth.

7. Measure the amount of mold surface area growth by

placing a transparent centimeter grid over 

the sample.

8. Record your data on the Student Data Sheets. 

9. Examine the mold with a stereo microscope or 

magnifier.

Activity 6: 

Mold Growth

* Tortillas were requested as part of the food manifest by Astronaut Rodolfo Neri Vela (Mexico), Payload Specialist,

STS-61B, 1985.
26 • Space Food and Nutrition An Educator’s Guide With Activities in Science and Mathematics, EG-1999-02-115-HQ

Caution: Molds should be handled carefully. Do not

open the zip-locking plastic bag, and do not remove

the mold samples from the zip-locking plastic bags.

The spores, which is how mold is dispersed, may

spread throughout the classroom and could cause

allergic reactions.

Discussion

1. Which bread type(s) exhibited more mold growth over

a long period of time?

2. On which bread type did mold first appear?

3. Were there any breads that had no mold growth?

Why?

4. What was the difference between the tortilla and the

bread as far as mold growth?

5. Molds vary in color and appearance. Many are white

and resemble cotton while others are green, brown,

black, pink, or gray. While some molds will grow on a

wide variety of foods, others grow best on fresh fruits

or vegetables. Describe the mold(s) that appeared on

the bread products.

Extensions

Repeat the experiment, and change the variables. 

1. Place some bread samples in the dark, and expose

other identical pieces in the light.

2. Place some bread samples in a cool place (refrigerator), and expose other identical samples in a warm

place.

3. Repeat the experiment with other types of major food

groups that have flown in space. The Space Shuttle

fresh food locker contains crew-determined food

items such as oranges, apples, carrots, and celery

sticks. Try a fresh fruit such as an orange or apple, a

fresh vegetable such as a carrot or celery stick, and a

milk group item such as a natural cheese.

4. Observe which colors of molds grow on a variety of

foods and which mold colors are more specific to a

certain food group.

5. Compare the space flight shelf stable tortilla formulation (listed in Appendix F) with the ingredients listed

on a grocery store tortilla package wrapper or in a tortilla recipe you find in a cookbook for an Earth-based

tortilla.

Assessment

Conduct a classroom discussion about the findings, and

collect the completed Student Data Sheets. Have the students graph their data.
Space Food and Nutrition An Educator’s Guide With Activities in Science and Mathematics, EG-1999-02-115-HQ • 27

Metric Area Grid Template

This 15 x 20 cm gridded sheet can be used to make transparencies, which can be placed on any object and used to measure how many square centimeters the object contains.
28 • Space Food and Nutrition An Educator’s Guide With Activities in Science and Mathematics, EG-1999-02-115-HQ

Student Data Sheet

Name

MOLD GROWTH DATA RECORD SHEET

Kind of Bread______________ Sample #_____ Preservative_____ (yes / no) 

Time Mold surface Daily

(Day) area (cm ) Observations

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

Ingredients List:

1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

5. 

6. 

7. 

8. 

9. 

10. 

11. 

12. 

13. 

14. 

Ingredients Identification Key:

Flour (F)

Preservative (P)

Yeast (Y) 

2
Student Data Sheet

Name

Mold Growth Data Line Graph

Instructions

Plot surface mold area growth vs. time.

Plot data from each sample onto the line graph.

Use a different color for each sample recorded on the graph.

Indicate on the graph whether the sample is with or without preservatives.

If there are preservatives, state the number of different preservatives present.

Conclusions

Space Food and Nutrition An Educator’s Guide With Activities in Science and Mathematics, EG-1999-02-115-HQ • 29

Time

(Day)

Mold Surface Area

(cm2

)
30 • Space Food and Nutrition An Educator’s Guide With Activities in Science and Mathematics, EG-1999-02-115-HQ

Objective

Measure the mass and volume of a food package before

and after repackaging for space flight, and determine the

usable and waste portions of food selected for space flight.

Science Standards

• Science as Inquiry: Abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry.

• Physical Science: Properties and changes of properties of matter.

Mathematics Standard

• Computation

• Measurement

Materials Needed

Commercial food box such as a cereal box

Unshelled nuts: almond, cashew, macadamia, peanut

Fresh fruits: apple, grapefruit, lemon, orange

Metric balance

Weights

Plastic zip-locking snack and sandwich bags

Metric rulers

Calculators

Student Data Sheets

Background

The original design of the space food packaging for

Projects Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo was light in weight

and easily handled in microgravity, and it required minimum storage space. These specifications fit the prime life

support design requirements for all spacecraft systems:

minimum weight and volume, minimum power usage, reliability, ease of maintenance, environmental compatibility,

integration with other systems, and crew compatibility.

As spacecraft design improved, allowing for longer flight

durations and larger crew and cargo capabilities, the food

manifest greatly improved. For instance, the Space

Shuttle and ISS food lists contain nuts, shelled to reduce

waste and mess. In addition, the lists also contain fruits

and fruit juices. These fruits may be whole or presliced to

reduce waste and mess.

Because of the increasing problem of orbital debris, the

only substance dumped on orbit into space is excess

water, a byproduct of electrical power generated from the

Space Shuttle fuel cells. Onboard waste containment is a

concern for space flight. A trash compactor is on the

Space Shuttle and is also planned for the ISS to reduce

the bulk of waste products.

Procedure

Part 1. Minimize the Mass of a Grocery Store Package

1. Weigh the package.

2. Calculate the mass and volume of the food package.

3. Open the package, remove the contents, and place

them in a plastic zip-locking sandwich bag, removing

as much air from the package as possible.

4. Weigh the new package. 

5. Determine the volume of the new package.

6. Calculate the percentage of mass loss.

7. Calculate the percentage of volume loss.

Part 2. Determine the Usable and Waste Portions of 

10 Nuts

Note: Use 10 nuts, and divide by 10 to come up with the

amount for 1 nut.

1. Weigh 10 nuts.

2. Shell the nuts, and weigh the edible portion.

3. Collect the shells, and weigh the nut shells.

4. Calculate the percentage that is edible.

5. Calculate the percentage of waste.

Part 3. Determine the Edible and Waste Portions of 

a Fruit

1. Weigh the fruit.

2. Peel and core the fruit.

3. Weigh the edible portion of the fruit.

4. Weigh the peel and core of the fruit.

5. Calculate the percentage that is edible.

6. Calculate the percentage that is waste.

Discussion

1. Did the packaging make that much of a difference in

weight? In volume?

2. After removing the parts of food that would not be

eaten, did the weight decrease significantly?

3. Which food product lost the most weight? Was it

because of packaging or waste portions of the food?

Activity 7: 

How Much Is Waste?
Space Food and Nutrition An Educator’s Guide With Activities in Science and Mathematics, EG-1999-02-115-HQ • 31

Extensions

1. Have the students find other types of food that contain waste portions. 

2. Fruit juices are manifested for the ISS. Extract juice

from selected fruit(s) and calculate the amount of juice

available:

% juice = liquid mass/total mass x 100

Assessment

Collect the completed Student Data Sheets, and determine

whether the mathematical computations are correct.

Through classroom discussion, determine usable and

unusable portions of foods.
32 • Space Food and Nutrition An Educator’s Guide With Activities in Science and Mathematics, EG-1999-02-115-HQ

Student Data Sheet

Name

PART 1. MINIMIZE THE MASS OF A GROCERY STORE PACKAGE 

Calculate the percentage of mass loss:

% Package Mass Loss = store pack mass – space pack mass

store pack mass X100

Calculate the percentage of volume loss:

% Package Volume Loss = store pack volume – space pack volume

store pack volume X 100

PART 2. DETERMINE THE USABLE AND WASTE PORTIONS OF 10 NUTS

Calculate the percentage of the edible portion:

% Edible = edible mass

total mass X 100

Calculate the percentage of the waste portion:

% Waste = shell mass

total mass X 100

PART 3. DETERMINE THE EDIBLE AND WASTE PORTIONS OF A FRESH FRUIT

Calculate the percentage of the edible portion of the fresh fruit:

% Edible = edible mass

total mass X 100

Calculate the percentage of the waste portion of the fresh fruit:

% Waste = peel + core mass

total mass X 100
Space Food and Nutrition An Educator’s Guide With Activities in Science and Mathematics, EG-1999-02-115-HQ • 33

Objective

Determine the percentage of water reduction by dehydrating fresh food items.

Science Standards

• Science as Inquiry: Abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry

• Science in Personal and Social Perspectives:

Personal Health

Mathematics Standards

• Measurement

• Computation

Materials Needed

Vegetables: fresh green beans

Fruits: fresh apples, peaches, grapes, strawberries, or

bananas

Food dehydrator

Balance

Weights

Plastic zip-locking sandwich bags

Background

Freeze-drying and other drying methods remove most of

the water in foods. This food type (once rehydrated) provides a more solid-type diet and adds variety to the space

flight menu.

Onboard the Space Shuttle, dehydrated foods and drinks

make up a significant part of the menu selection. The

major reason for using these dehydrated foods and drinks

is because water is produced by the fuel cells as a byproduct, making water abundantly available for Space Shuttle

food preparation. A significant weight reduction is

achieved by rehydratable food and drinks.

For the ISS, electrical energy requirements are best met

by using a renewable energy source. Solar arrays, which

convert solar energy into electrical energy, do not produce water as a byproduct. The ISS food manifest has

reduced the amount of food rehydratables significantly.

Drinks, however, are still best handled in a rehydratable

package for storage ease.

Procedure

1. Weigh the fruit or vegetable.

2. Cut up the food into small slices or pieces.

3. Place in the food dehydrator, and dehydrate.

4. Remove from the dehydrator, and allow to cool

before weighing by placing in a plastic sandwich

bag (so no moisture will be reabsorbed).

5. Weigh dehydrated food, being careful to subtract

the weight of the empty zip-locking plastic bag.

6. Calculate the percentage of moisture lost in the

food sample using the equation:

% Moisture Loss = original mass – dehydrated mass

original mass 

x 100

Extension

Explore the rehydratability of different commercial food

products obtained from camping of grocery stores. Weigh

a known amount of dehydrated food, and place in a container of ambient water. Allow the food to completely

rehydrate. Remove the food from the container, and blot

dry. Weigh the rehydrated food product, and calculate the

percentage of rehydration:

% Rehydration = gain in mass + original mass

original mass 

x 100

Assessment

The students will write procedures for dehydrating fruit

and vegetables.

Activity 8: 

Dehydrating Food for Space Flight
34 • Space Food and Nutrition An Educator’s Guide With Activities in Science and Mathematics, EG-1999-02-115-HQ

Abbreviations

A/S Artificial Sweetener

(B) Beverage

(FF) Fresh Food 

(IM) Intermediate Moisture

(I) Irradiated

(NF) Natural Form

(R) Rehydratable

(T) Thermostabilized

Beef w/BBQ Sauce (T)

Beef, Dried (IM)

Beef Patty (R)

Beef Steak (I)

Beef Stroganoff w/Noodles (R)

Beef, Sweet ’n Sour (T)

Beef Tips w/Mushrooms (T)

Bread (FF)

Breakfast Roll (FF)

Brownies (NF)

Candy,

Coated Chocolates (NF)

Coated Peanuts (NF)

Gum (NF)

Life Savers (NF)

Cereal,

Bran Chex (R)

Cornflakes (R)

Granola (R)

Granola w/Blueberries (R)

Granola w/Raisins (R)

Grits w/Butter (R)

Oatmeal w/Brown Sugar (R)

Oatmeal w/Raisins (R)

Rice Krispies (R)

Cheddar Cheese Spread (T)

Chicken,

Chicken, Grilled (T)

Chicken Salad Spread (T)

Chicken, Sweet ’n Sour (R)

Chicken, Teriyaki (R)

Cookies,

Butter (NF)

Shortbread (NF)

Crackers, Butter (NF)

Eggs,

Scrambled (R)

Mexican Scrambled (R)

Seasoned Scrambled (R)

Frankfurters (T)

Fruit,

Apple, Granny Smith (FF)

Apple, Red Delicious (FF)

Applesauce (T) 

Apricots, Dried (IM)

Banana (FF)

Cocktail (T)

Orange (FF)

Peach Ambrosia (R)

Peaches, Diced (T)

Peaches, Dried (IM)

Pears, Diced (T)

Pears, Dried (IM)

Pineapple (T)

Strawberries (R)

Trail Mix (IM)

Granola Bar (NF)

Ham (T)

Ham Salad Spread (T)

Jelly,

Apple (T)

Grape (T)

Macaroni and Cheese (R)

Noodles and Chicken (R)

Appendix A: 

Baseline Space Shuttle 

Food and Beverage List
Nuts,

Almonds (NF)

Cashews (NF)

Macadamia (NF)

Peanuts (NF)

Trail Mix (IM)

Peanut Butter (T)

Potatoes au Gratin (R)

Puddings,

Banana (T)

Butterscotch (T)

Chocolate (T)

Tapioca (T)

Vanilla (T)

Rice and Chicken (R)

Rice Pilaf (R)

Salmon (T)

Sausage Patty (R)

Shrimp Cocktail (R)

Soups,

Chicken Consomme (B)

Mushroom (R)

Rice and Chicken (R)

Spaghetti w/Meat Sauce (R)

Tortillas (FF)

Tuna,

Tuna (T)

Tuna Salad Spread (T)

Turkey,

Turkey Salad Spread (T)

Turkey, Smoked (I)

Turkey Tetrazzini®

Vegetables,

Asparagus (R)

Broccoli au Gratin (R)

Carrot Sticks (FF)

Cauliflower w/Cheese (R)

Celery Sticks (FF)

Green Beans and Broccoli (R)

Green Beans/Mushrooms (R)

Italian (R)

Spinach, Creamed (R)

Tomatoes and Eggplant (T)

Beverages (B)

Apple Cider

Cherry Drink w/A/S

Cocoa

Coffee,

Black

w/A/S

w/Cream

w/Cream and A/S

w/Cream and Sugar

w/Sugar

Coffee (Decaffeinated),

Black

w/A/S

w/Cream

w/Cream and A/S

w/Cream and Sugar

w/Sugar

Coffee (Kona),

Black

w/A/S

w/Cream

w/Cream and A/S

w/Cream and Sugar

w/Sugar

Grape Drink

Grape Drink w/A/S

Grapefruit Drink

Instant Breakfast,

Chocolate

Strawberry

Vanilla

Lemonade

Lemonade w/A/S

Lemon-Lime Drink

Orange Drink

Orange Drink w/A/S

Orange-Grapefruit Drink

Orange Juice

Orange-Mango Drink

Orange-Pineapple Drink

Space Food and Nutrition An Educator’s Guide With Activities in Science and Mathematics, EG-1999-02-115-HQ • 35
36 • Space Food and Nutrition An Educator’s Guide With Activities in Science and Mathematics, EG-1999-02-115-HQ

Peach-Apricot Drink

Pineapple Drink

Strawberry Drink

Tea,

Plain

w/A/S

w/Cream

w/Lemon

w/Lemon & A/S

w/Lemon & Sugar

w/Sugar

Tropical Punch

Tropical Punch w/A/S

Condiments

Catsup (T)

Mayonnaise (T)

Mustard (T)

Pepper (Liquid) 

Salt (Liquid)

Tabasco Sauce (T)

Taco Sauce (T)
Space Food and Nutrition An Educator’s Guide With Activities in Science and Mathematics, EG-1999-02-115-HQ • 37

Refrigerated

Dairy

Cheese

Cheese slices

Cream cheese

Sour cream

Yogurt, fruit

Fruits

Apple

Grapefruit

Kiwi

Orange

Plum

Frozen

Meat and Eggs

Beef:

Beef, brisket, BBQ

Beef, enchilada with spanish rice

Beef, fajita

Beef, patty

Beef, sirloin tips with mushrooms

Beef, steak, bourbon

Beef, steak, teriyaki

Beef, stir fried with onion

Beef, stroganoff with noodles

Luncheon meat

Meatloaf with mashed potatoes and gravy

Lamb:

Lamb, broiled

Poultry:

Chicken, baked

Chicken, enchilada with spanish rice

Chicken, fajita

Chicken, grilled

Chicken, oven fried

Chicken, pot pie

Chicken, stir fried with diced red pepper

Chicken, teriyaki with spring vegetables

Duck, roasted

Meatball, porcupine (turkey)

Pork:

Bacon

Bacon, Canadian

Ham, baked with candied yams

Pork, chop, baked with potatoes au gratin

Pork, sausage, patties

Pork, sweet and sour with rice

Seafood:

Fish, baked

Fish, grilled

Fish, sautéed

Lobster, broiled tails

Scallops, baked

Seafood, gumbo with rice

Shrimp, cocktail

Tuna, noodle casserole

Eggs:

Egg, omelet, cheese

Egg, omelet, vegetable

Egg, omelet, ham

Egg, omelet, sausage

Egg, omelet vegetable and ham

Egg, omelet, vegetable and sausage

Eggs, scrambled with bacon, hash browns sausage

Quiche, vegetable

Quiche, lorraine

Pasta mixtures:

Lasagna, vegetable with tomato sauce

Noodles, stir fry

Spaghetti with meat sauce

Spaghetti with tomato sauce

Tortellini with tomato sauce, cheese

Appendix B: 

International Space Station 

Daily Menu Food List
38 • Space Food and Nutrition An Educator’s Guide With Activities in Science and Mathematics, EG-1999-02-115-HQ

Other:

Egg rolls

Enchilada, cheese with Spanish rice

Pizza, cheese

Pizza, meat

Pizza, vegetable

Pizza, supreme

Fruit

Apples, escalloped

Peaches, sliced with bananas, blueberries

Peaches with bananas, grapes, strawberries

Strawberries, sliced

Soups

Beef, stew

Broccoli, cream of

Chicken, cream of

Chicken noodle

Mushroom, cream of

Won ton

Grains

Biscuits

Bread

Cornbread

Dinner roll

Garlic bread

Sandwich bun, wheat/white

Toast, wheat/white

Tortilla

Breakfast items:

Cinnamon roll

French toast

Pancakes, buttermilk

Pancakes, apple cinnamon

Waffles

Pasta:

Fettuccine alfredo

Macaroni and cheese

Spaghetti

Rice:

Fried

Mexican/Spanish

White

Starchy Vegetables

Corn, whole kernel

Potato, baked

Potatoes, escalloped

Potatoes, oven fried

Potatoes, mashed

Yams, candied

Succotash

Squash corn casserole

Vegetables

Asparagus tips

Beans, green

Beans, green with mushrooms

Broccoli au gratin

Broccoli

Carrot coins

Cauliflower au gratin

Chinese vegetables, stir fry

Mushrooms, fried

Okra, fried

Peas

Peas with carrots

Squash, acorn with apple sauce and cinnamon

Zucchini, spears, fried

Desserts

Cakes:

Angel food cake

Brownie, chocolate

Chocolate fudge

Shortcake

Yellow cake with chocolate frosting

Dairy:

Ice cream, chocolate

Ice cream, strawberry

Ice cream, vanilla

Yogurt, frozen
Space Food and Nutrition An Educator’s Guide With Activities in Science and Mathematics, EG-1999-02-115-HQ • 39

Pies and Pastry:

Cheesecake, chocolate

Cheesecake, plain

Cobbler, peach

Pie, apple

Pie, coconut cream

Pie, pecan

Pie, pumpkin

Beverages

Apple juice

Grape juice

Grapefruit juice

Lemonade

Orange juice

Condiments

Margarine

Grated cheese

Cereals

Hot cereal:

Oatmeal

Cream of wheat

Grits

Thermostabilized

Fruit

Applesauce

Fruit cocktail

Peaches

Pears

Pineapple

Salads

Chicken salad

Tuna salad

Turkey salad

Vegetable:

Bean salad, three 

Pasta salad

Potato salad, German

Sauerkraut

Soups

Chili

Clam chowder

Egg drop

Miso, Japanese

Vegetable

Desserts

Pudding, butterscotch

Pudding, chocolate

Pudding lemon

Pudding, tapioca

Pudding, vanilla

Condiments

Barbecue sauce

Catsup

Chili con queso

Cocktail sauce

Cranberry sauce

Dill pickle chips

Dips, bean

Dips, onion

Dips, ranch

Honey

Horseradish sauce

Jelly, assorted

Lemon juice

Mayonnaise

Mustard

Mustard, hot Chinese

Orange marmalade

Peanut butter (chunky, creamy, whipped)

Picante sauce

Sweet and sour sauce

Syrup, maple

Taco sauce

Tartar sauce

Beverages

Fruit juices:

Cranberry

Cranberry apple

Cranberry raspberry

Gatorade, assorted

Pineapple

Pineapple grapefruit

Tomato
40 • Space Food and Nutrition An Educator’s Guide With Activities in Science and Mathematics, EG-1999-02-115-HQ

V-8

Milk:

Skim

Low fat

Chocolate (low fat or skim)

Whole

Natural Form

Fruit

Apples, dried

Apricots, dried

Peach, dried

Pear, dried

Prunes

Raisin

Trail mix

Grains

Animal crackers

Cereal, cold

Chex mix

Crackers, assorted

Baked chips, tortillas

Baked chips, potato

Pretzels

Goldfish

Tortilla chips

Potato chips

Rye krisp, seasoned

Desserts

Cookies:

Butter

Chocolate chip

Fortune

Rice krispies treat

Shortbread

Snacks

Beef jerky

Nuts:

Almonds

Cashews

Macadamia

Peanuts

Candy: 

Candy-coated chocolates

Candy-coated peanuts

Lifesavers

Gum (sugar free)

Eva Food

In-suit fruit bar

Rehydratable

Beverages

Apple cider

Cherry drink

Cocoa

Coffee (assorted)

Grape drink

Grapefruit drink

Instant breakfast, chocolate

Instant breakfast, vanilla

Instant breakfast, strawberry

Orange drink

Orange mango drink

Orange pineapple drink

Tea (assorted)

Tropical punch

Irradiated Meat

Beef steak

Smoked turkey
Space Food and Nutrition An Educator’s Guide With Activities in Science and Mathematics, EG-1999-02-115-HQ • 41

Day 1, 5, 9

Meal A

Peaches

Bacon Squares (8)

Cinnamon Toast Bread

Cubes (4)

Grapefruit Drink

Orange Drink

Meal B

Salmon Salad

Chicken and Rice

Sugar Cookie Cubes (4)

Cocoa

Grape Punch

Meal C

Beef and Potatoes

Cheese Cracker 

Cubes (4)

Chocolate Pudding

Orange-Grapefruit Drink

Day 2, 6, 10

Meal A

Fruit Cocktail

Sugar-Coated Cornflakes

Bacon Squares (8)

Grapefruit Drink

Grape Drink

Meal B

Potato Soup

Chicken and Vegetables

Tuna Salad

Pineapple Fruitcake (4)

Orange Drink

Meal C

Spaghetti and Meat

Sauce

Ham and Potatoes

Banana Pudding

Pineapple-Grapefruit

Drink

Day 3, 7, 11

Meal A

Peaches

Bacon Squares (8)

Strawberry Cubes (4)

Cocoa

Orange Drink

Meal B

Cream of Chicken Soup

Turkey and Gravy

Butterscotch Pudding

Brownies

Grapefruit Drink

Meal C

Pea Soup

Beef Stew

Chicken Salad

Chocolate Cubes (4)

Grape Punch

Day 4, 8

Meal A

Fruit Cocktail

Sausage Patties

Bacon Squares (8)

Cocoa

Grape Drink

Meal B

Potato Soup

Pork and Scalloped

Potatoes

Apple Sauce

Orange Drink

Meal C

Shrimp Cocktail

Chicken Stew

Turkey Bites (4)

Dry Fruitcake (4)

Orange-Grapefruit Drink

Appendix C: 

Gemini Standard Menu (4-day cycle)
42 • Space Food and Nutrition An Educator’s Guide With Activities in Science and Mathematics, EG-1999-02-115-HQ

Appendix D:

Space Shuttle Standard Menu 

(4 days of a 7-day menu)

Day 1

Meal A

Dried Peaches

Cornflakes

Orange-Pineapple Drink

Cocoa

Meal B

Ham

Cheese Spread

Tortilla x2

Pineapple

Cashews

Strawberry Drink

Meal C

Chicken a la King

Turkey Tetrazzini

Cauliflower w/Cheese

Brownie

Grape Drink

Day 2

Meal A

Dried Pears

Beef Patties

Scrambled Eggs

Vanilla Instant Breakfast

Orange Juice

Meal B

Peanut Butter

Apple or Grape Jelly

Tortilla x2

Fruit Cocktail

Trail Mix

Peach-Apricot Drink

Meal C

Frankfurters

Macaroni and Cheese

Green Beans w/

Mushrooms

Peach Ambrosia

Tropical Punch

Day 3

Meal A

Dried Apricots

Breakfast Roll

Chocolate Instant Drink

Grapefruit Drink

Meal B

Turkey Salad Spread

Tortilla x2

Peaches

Granola Bar

Lemonade

Meal C

Spaghetti w/Meat Sauce

Italian Vegetables

Butterscotch Pudding

Orange Drink

Day 4

Meal A

Dried Peaches

Bran Chex

Orange-Mango Drink

Cocoa

Meal B

Dried beef

Cheese Spread

Applesauce

Peanuts

Tropical Punch

Meal C

Teriyaki Chicken

Rice and Chicken

Green Beans and

Broccoli
Space Food and Nutrition An Educator’s Guide With Activities in Science and Mathematics, EG-1999-02-115-HQ • 43

Appendix E: 

International Space Station Standard Menu

(4 days of a 30-day menu)

Day 1

Meal A

Eggs Scrambled

w/Bacon, Hash

Browns, Sausage

Toast

Margarine

Jelly, Assorted

Apple Juice

Coffee/Tea/Cocoa

Meal B

Chicken, oven-fried

Macaroni and Cheese

Corn, whole kernel

Peaches

Almonds

Pineapple-Grapefruit

Juice

Meal C

Beef Fajita

Spanish Rice

Tortilla Chips

Picante Sauce

Chili con Queso

Tortilla

Lemon Bar

Apple Cider

Day 2

Meal A

Cereal, cold

Yogurt, fruit

Biscuit

Margarine

Jelly, assorted

Milk

Cranberry Juice

Coffee/Tea/Cocoa

Meal B

Soup, cream of broccoli

Beef Patty

Cheese Slice

Sandwich Bun

Pretzels

Cried Apples

Vanilla Pudding

Chocolate Instant

Breakfast

Meal C

Fish, sautéed

Tartar Sauce

Lemon Juice

Pasta Salad

Green Beans

Bread

Margarine

Angel Food Cake

Strawberries

Orange-Pineapple Drink

Day 3

Meal A

French Toast

Canadian Bacon

Margarine

Syrup

Orange Juice

Coffee/Tea/Cocoa

Meal B

Cheese Manicotti w/

Tomato Sauce

Garlic Bread

Berry Medley

Cookie, shortbread

Lemonade

Meal C

Turkey Breast, sliced

Mashed Sweet Potato

Asparagus Tips

Cornbread

Margarine

Pumpkin Pie

Cherry Drink

Day 4

Meal A

Cereal, hot

Cinnamon Roll

Milk

Grape Juice

Coffee/Tea/Cocoa

Meal B

Quiche Lorraine

Seasoned Rye Krisp

Fresh Orange

Cookies, Butter

Meal C

Soup, won ton

Chicken Teriyaki

Chinese Vegetables, stirfry

Egg Rolls

Hot Chinese Mustard

Sweet ’n Sour Sauce

Vanilla Ice Cream

Cookies, fortune

Tea
44 • Space Food and Nutrition An Educator’s Guide With Activities in Science and Mathematics, EG-1999-02-115-HQ

Appendix F: 

Space Tortilla Formulation (Recipe)

Ingredients % by Mass

Wheat 61.79 

Water 26.58 

Glycerin 4.02 

Shortening 3.71

Mono/Diglycerides 1.24

Salt 0.99

Baking Powder 0.87

Dough Conditioner 0.31

Fumaric Acid 0.19

Potassium Sorbate 0.15 

Carboxymethyl Cellulose 0.12

Calcium Propionate 0.03

100.00%

Preparation:

1. Dry ingredients are combined in a mixer using the wire beater attachments on a stir setting for 1 minute.

2. Shortening and mono/diglycerides are then added and blended to cornmeal consistency. Mix about 3–5 minutes

using the wire beater attachment on speed 2.

3. Fumaric acid and potassium sorbate are weighed separately, added to 100 ml water, and set aside.

4. Glycerin and the remainder of water are combined and added to the mix using the dough hook attachment.

5. The fumaric acid and potassium sorbate solution is added to the dough and mixed on speed 2. Mix for about 

10 minutes.

6. After mixing, allow the dough to rest 5 minutes, and then divide into 32 equal portions using a dough divider.

7. Round each individual piece by hand, place into muffin pans, and cover with plastic wrap.

8. Place into a 35.5-degree Celsius proofing chamber for 1 to 2 hours.

9. Dust each dough ball lightly with flour, and then form in a tortilla press.

Cooking:

10. Place pressed tortilla in a preheat frying pan (190–204 degrees Celsius). 

11. When uncooked surface begins to bubble, flip tortilla to cook the other side.

12. After both sides are baked, remove tortillas to a cool surface lined with waxed paper and allow to cool. Turn the tortillas to prevent condensation from forming between the waxed paper and the tortilla.

Packaging:

13. After cooling to room temperature, two tortillas are folded in half and placed in a three-ply foil laminate pouch 

(outside diameter: 6 1/2 X 8 1/8”).

14. Insert an oxygen absorber into each pouch before the sealing operation.

15. Place the filled pouch in a vacuum seal chamber and back-flush with nitrogen three times and seal at 10 in. 

Hg vacuum.
Space Food and Nutrition An Educator’s Guide With Activities in Science and Mathematics, EG-1999-02-115-HQ • 45

Appendix G:

USDA Food Guide Pyramid

Fats, Oil & Sweets

USE SPARINGLY

Meat, Poultry, Fish, Dry Beans,

Eggs & Nuts Group

2-3 SERVINGS

Fruit Group

2-4 SERVINGS

Bread, Cereal,

Rice & Pasta

Group

2-4

SERVINGS

Milk, Yogurt &

Cheese Group

2-3 SERVINGS

Vegetable Group

3-5 SERVINGS

KEY

Fat (naturally occurring and added)

Sugars (added)

These symbols show fats and added sugars in foods.

Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture/Department of Health and Human Services
46 • Space Food and Nutrition An Educator’s Guide With Activities in Science and Mathematics, EG-1999-02-115-HQ

References 

Andrews, Sheila Briskin, and Audrey Kirschenbaum,

Living In Space, Book I, EP-222, NASA, Washington, DC,

1987.

Andrews, Sheila Briskin, and Audrey Kirschenbaum,

Living In Space, Book II, EP-223, NASA, Washington, DC,

1987.

NASA, “Space Shuttle Food Systems,” NASA Facts,

NF-150/I-86, 1986.

Hartung, T.E., et. al., “Application of Low Dose Irradiation

to a Fresh Bread System for Space Flights,” Journal of Food

Science 38 (1973): 129–132.

Visit http://www.jsc.nasa.gov/pao/factsheets/#NP to

download the following NASA Publication and Fact

Sheet:

NASA, “Food for Space Flight,” NASA Facts, NP-1996-

07-007-JSC, Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX, July

1996. 

NASA, “Living in the Space Shuttle,” NASA Facts, 

FS-1995-08-001-JSC, Johnson Space Center, Houston,

TX, June 1996.

Please visit http://spacelink.nasa.gov/space.food for a

wealth of information on the NASA space food program.

Also visit NASA Spacelink (http://spacelink.nasa.gov) to

find the following food lists as well as other information

related to the NASA space food program:

• Apollo Food and Beverage List

• Skylab Food and Beverage List
Space Food and Nutrition An Educator’s Guide With Activities in Science and Mathematics, EG-1999-02-115-HQ • 47

NASA Resources for Educators

NASA’s Central Operation of Resources for

Educators (CORE) was established for the national and international distribution of NASAproduced educational materials in audiovisual format.

Educators can obtain a catalog and an order form by one

of the following methods:

• NASA CORE

Lorain County Joint Vocational School

15181 State Route 58

Oberlin, OH 44074-9799

• Phone: (440) 775-1400

• Fax: (440) 775-1460

• E-mail: nasaco@leeca.esu.k12.oh.us

• Home Page: http://spacelink.nasa.gov/CORE

Educator Resource Center Network

To make additional information available to the education community, the NASA Education Division has created the NASA Educator Resource Center (ERC) network.

ERC’s contain a wealth of information for educators:

publications, reference books, slide sets, audio cassettes,

videotapes, telelecture programs, computer programs,

lesson plans, and teacher guides with activities.

Educators may preview, copy, or receive NASA materials

at these sites. Because each NASA Field Center has its

own areas of expertise, no two ERC’s are exactly alike.

Phone calls are welcome if you are unable to visit the

ERC that serves your geographic area. A list of the centers and the regions they serve includes:

AK, AZ, CA, HI, ID, MT, NV, OR, UT, WA, WY

NASA Educator Resource Center

Mail Stop 253-2

NASA Ames Research Center

Moffett Field, CA 94035-1000

Phone: (650) 604-3574

CT, DE, DC, ME, MD, MA, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI, VT

NASA Educator Resource Laboratory

Mail Code 130.3

NASA Goddard Space Flight Center

Greenbelt, MD 20771-0001

Phone: (301) 286-8570

CO, KS, NE, NM, ND, OK, SD, TX

JSC Educator Resource Center

Space Center Houston

NASA Johnson Space Center

1601 NASA Road One

Houston, TX 77058-3696

Phone: (281) 483-8696

FL, GA, PR, VI

NASA Educator Resource Laboratory

Mail Code ERL

NASA Kennedy Space Center

Kennedy Space Center, FL 32899-0001

Phone: (407) 867-4090

KY, NC, SC, VA, WV

Virginia Air and Space Museum

NASA Educator Resource Center 

NASA Langley Research Center

600 Settler's Landing Road

Hampton, VA 23669-4033

Phone: (757) 727-0900 x 757

IL, IN, MI, MN, OH, WI

NASA Educator Resource Center

Mail Stop 8-1

John H. Glenn Research Center at Lewis Field

21000 Brookpark Road

Cleveland, OH 44135-3191

Phone: (216) 433-2017

AL, AR, IA, LA, MO, TN

U.S. Space and Rocket Center

NASA Educator Resource Center for 

NASA Marshall Space Flight Center

P.O. Box 070015

Huntsville, AL 35807-7015

Phone: (205) 544-5812

MS

NASA Educator Resource Center

Building 1200

NASA John C. Stennis Space Center

Stennis Space Center, MS 39529-6000

Phone: (228) 688-3338

NASA Educator Resource Center

JPL Educational Outreach

Mail Stop 601-107

NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory

4800 Oak Grove Drive

Pasadena, CA 91109-8099

Phone: (818) 354-6916

CA cities near the center

NASA Educator Resource Center 

NASA Dryden Flight Research Center

45108 N. 3rd Street East

Lancaster, CA 93535

Phone: (805) 948-7347
VA and MD’s Eastern Shores

NASA Educator Resource Lab

Education Complex—Visitor Center Building J-1

NASA Wallops Flight Facility

Wallops Island, VA 23337-5099

Phone: (757) 824-2297/2298

Regional Educator Resource Centers (RERC’s) offer

more educators access to NASA educational materials.

NASA has formed partnerships with universities, museums, and other educational institutions to serve as

RERC’s in many states. A complete list of RERC’s is

available through CORE, or electronically via NASA

Spacelink at http://spacelink.nasa.gov

NASA’s Education Home Page

NASA’s Education Home Page serves as a cyber-gateway

to information regarding educational programs and services offered by NASA for educators and students across

the United States. This high-level directory of information provides specific details and points of contact for all

of NASA’s educational efforts and Field Center offices.

Educators and students utilizing this site will have access

to a comprehensive overview of NASA’s educational programs and services, along with a searchable program

inventory that has cataloged NASA’s educational programs. NASA’s on-line resources specifically designed

for the educational community are highlighted, as well as

home pages offered by NASA’s four areas of research and

development (including the Aero-Space Technology,

Earth Science, Human Exploration and Development of

Space, and Space Science Enterprises).

Visit this resource at the following address: 

http://education.nasa.gov

NASA Spacelink

NASA Spacelink is one of NASA’s electronic resources

specifically developed for the educational community.

Spacelink is a “virtual library” in which local files and

hundreds of NASA World Wide Web links are arranged in

a manner familiar to educators. Using the Spacelink

search engine, educators can search this virtual library to

find information regardless of its location within NASA.

Special events, missions, and intriguing NASA web sites

are featured in Spacelink’s “Hot Topics” and “Cool

Picks” areas.

Spacelink is the official home to electronic versions of

NASA’s Educational Products. NASA educator guides,

educational briefs, lithographs, and other materials are

cross-referenced throughout Spacelink with related topics

and events. Spacelink is also host to the NASA Television

Education File schedule. NASA Educational Products

can be accessed at the following address:

http://spacelink.nasa.gov/products

Educators can learn about new NASA Educational

Products by subscribing to Spacelink EXPRESS.

Spacelink EXPRESS is an electronic mailing list that

informs subscribers quickly by e-mail when new NASA

educational publications become available on Spacelink.

Spacelink may be accessed at the following address:

http://spacelink.nasa.gov

Join the NASA Spacelink EXPRESS mailing list to

receive announcements of new NASA materials and

opportunities for educators. Our goal is to inform you as

quickly as possible when new NASA educational publications become available on Spacelink:

http://spacelink.nasa.gov/xh/express.html

NASA Television (NTV)

NASA Television (NTV) features Space Shuttle mission

coverage, live special events, interactive educational live

shows, electronic field trips, aviation and space news, and

historical NASA footage. Programming has a 3-hour

block—Video (News) File, NASA Gallery, and

Education File—beginning at noon Eastern and repeated

three more times throughout the day.

The Education File features programming for teachers

and students on science, mathematics, and technology,

including NASA. . . On the Cutting Edge, a series of educational live shows. Spacelink is also host to the NTV

Education File schedule at: http://spacelink.nasa.gov/

NASA.News/

These interactive live shows let viewers electronically

explore the NASA Centers and laboratories or anywhere

scientists, astronauts, and researchers are using cuttingedge aerospace technology. The series is free to registered educational institutions. The live shows and all

other NTV programming may be taped for later use.

48 • Space Food and Nutrition An Educator’s Guide With Activities in Science and Mathematics, EG-1999-02-115-HQ
NTV Weekday Programming Schedules

(Eastern Times)

Video File NASA Gallery Education File

12–1 p.m. 1–2 p.m. 2–3 p.m.

3–4 p.m. 4–5 p.m. 5–6 p.m.

6–7 p.m. 7–8 p.m. 8–9 p.m.

9–10 p.m. 10–11 p.m. 11–12 p.m.

Live feeds preempt regularly scheduled programming.

Check the Internet for program listings at:

http://www.nasa.gov/ntv/—NTV Home Page

http://www.nasa.gov/—Select “Today at NASA” and

“What’s New on NASA TV?”

http://spacelink.nasa.gov/NASA.News/—Select 

“TV Schedules”

Via satellite—GE-2 Satellite, Transponder 9C at 85

degrees West longitude, vertical polarization, with a frequency of 3880.0 megahertz (MHz) and audio of 6.8

MHz—or through collaborating distance learning networks and local cable providers.

For more information on NTV, contact:

NASA TV

NASA Headquarters

Code P-2

Washington, DC 20546-0001

Phone: (202) 358-3572

For more information on the educational live shows, contact:

NASA. . . On the Cutting Edge

NASA Teaching From Space Program

308-A, Watkins CITD Building

Oklahoma State University

Stillwater, OK 74078-8089

E-mail: edge@aesp.nasa.okstate.edu

How to Access NASA’s Education 

Materials and Services, 

EP-1998-03-345-HQ 

This brochure serves as a guide to accessing a variety of

NASA materials and services for educators. Copies are

available through the ERC network, or electronically via

NASA Spacelink. NASA Spacelink can be accessed at

the following address: http://spacelink.nasa.gov

Space Food and Nutrition An Educator’s Guide With Activities in Science and Mathematics, EG-1999-02-115-HQ • 49
Space Food and Nutrition

An Educator’s Guide in Science and Mathematics

EDUCATOR REPLY CARD

To achieve America’s goals in Educational Excellence, it is NASA’s mission todevelop supplementary instructional materials and curricula in science, mathematics, and technology. NASA seeks to involve the educational communityin the development and improvement of these materials. Your evaluation andsuggestions are vital to continually improving NASA educational materials.Otherwise, please return the reply card by mail. Thank you.1. With what grades did you use the educator guide?

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6. How did you use this educator guide?

❏ Background Information ❏ Cr❏ Demonstrate NASA Materials ❏ De❏ Group Discussions ❏ Ha❏ Integration Into Existing Curricula ❏ Int❏ Lecture ❏ Sc❏ Team Activities St❏ Other: Please specify:

7. Where did you learn about this educator guide

❏ NASA Educator Resource Center❏ NASA Central Operation of Resources for ❏ Institution/School System❏ Fellow Educator❏ Workshop/Conference❏ Other: Please specify: 

8. What features of this educator guide did you f9. How can we make this educator guide more e10.Additional comments:Today’s Date:

Please take a moment to respond to the statements and questions below.You can submit your response through the Internet or by mail. Send yourreply to the following Internet address:

http://ehb2.gsfc.nasa.gov/edcats/educator_guide

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